Opinion: Joe Gibbs Racing's Strategy Paid Off

Coming out of Talladega, no one is talking about Joey Logano's victory. There is however, lots of conversation about JGR's strategy that paid off, by staying in the back for most of the race. Sure, if you're a fan for any of these drivers, then you might be a little disappointed about the finish. But it's about the bigger outcome for Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch. That outcome is the championship.

Race fans are furious that Edwards, Kenseth, Hamlin, and Busch are moving on to the round of 8. The reason is simple. Their strategy worked out the way it was supposed too. If race fans put their shoes in the drivers mind, then they would probably think about the same thing, that the JGR drivers did yesterday.

Put it this way. Would you rather be wrecked out, and not being able to compete for the championship at Homestead? Or, would you rather play it safe, and still have a shot at the championship later down the road? JGR played it safe, therefore, they have another shot to make it to the final four. Since this chase concept came out in 2014, at least one JGR driver has made it to Homestead for two consecutive years. Denny Hamlin in 2014 and Kyle Busch in 2015. Now, most likely, one of those four drivers will be in the final four in 2016. Although, nothing is a given in today's world of NASCAR.

Take Martin Truex Jr for example. He wasn't really in a must-win situation yesterday, but he needed to have a good day, in order to move on. Truex ran hard, and his motor blew up in the middle of the race. Dropping him in contention for the championship, to being eliminated any chance to compete for his first title. Brad Keselowski is another example. Not really in a must-win situation either, but needed some good fortune to fall his way yesterday. What happened? Blew a motor while running second in the race. He also ended his title hopes.

So that goes back to JGR's strategy game plan. They played it safe by not running as hard like other chasers were. If you had a 25 plus point lead over 8th, why risk it?

In conclusion, if I were a driver that had a big point lead over the cut off line, then I would not risk being eliminated at all. Like Kyle tweeted out this morning, "don't hate the player.... hate the game."